High Schools Network

Letter from
Eddie Calderón-Meléndez
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dear Families,

Welcome to another school year. This fall has already been

very busy for us and we want to take a moment to thank you
for your patience, support and Belief in us!

As many of you know, we recently established a not-for-prof-

it organization to support the three Believe High Schools.
The Believe High School Network (BHSN) now supports
and operates: Williamsburg Charter High School, Northside
Charter High School and Southside Charter High School.
This organization provides various types of administrative
support for the schools, allowing faculty and staff to focus all
of their energy on instruction and the “Believe Approach”.
Whether through fundraising, financial management or
operations support, BHSN is dedicated to providing our
schools the resources necessary for student success.

One key to student success that is critical, is family support.

Since family support does not come in one form, this guide
will provide a menu of options for families. Please review this
guide and keep it close to you throughout the school year.

Whether you become a parent leader, volunteer at a social

event, or attend one of our fabulous workshops, we thank
you for your commitment and applaud your effort!

Eddie
See what’s inside!
Parent Leadership Opportunities • Parent Advisory Meeting Dates
Academic Workshop Series • Family Academy
Cause-Related Activities • Social Events
The College Office Presentstations
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 Contact Information
All schools staff can be reached through our main number:

(718) 782-9830
Believe Williamsburg
Christina Froeb Schools Leader/Principal

Vanessa Gonzalez 9 Grade Director [ vgonzalez@thewcs.org ]

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Sarah Blanton 10 Grade Director [ sblanton@thewcs.org ]

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Jeff Hirsch 11 Grade Director [ mrhirsch@thewcs.org ]

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Evan Rutberg 12 Grade Director [ mrrutberg@thewcs.org ]

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Jennifer Flores Parent Coordinator [ jflores@thewcs.org ]

Allison Witkowski Community Liaison [ awitkowski@thewcs.org ]

Believe Northside Charter High School

Erick Roa Schools Leader [ mrroa@bnschs.org ]

Nector Santiago Parent Coordinator [ nsantiago@bnschs.org ]

Believe Southside Charter High School

Shannon Browne Schools Leader [ msbrowne@bsschs.org ]

Nector Santiago Parent Coordinator [ nsantiago@bsschs.org ]

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 Parent Leadership
Committed parent leaders are critical to student achievement. For par-
ents interested in formal leadership opportunities, there are two ways to
be involved:

• Believe High Schools Network Parent Council

• Grade Level Parent Associations

The Parent Council is a volunteer group of family members who work

closely with the Believe High Schools Network and advise the Network
on major projects, strategy and policy. Council Members communicate
regularly with Parent Association Members to ensure an open dialogue
in both directions. Members advocate on behalf of the schools and
charters in general. The Parent Council welcomes the family members
of alumni and values those members who wish to stay involved even
after students graduate.

Parent Associations work closely at each grade level. Believe Northside

and Southside meet together as they support the 9th grade commu-
nity. Williamsburg Charter High School has a Parent Association at
each grade level. These Parent Associations support each of the school
communities through regular activities & events like fundraisers, cause-
related events, social activities and general community building.

Check your Believe Bulletin and the School Hotline for meeting times
by calling (718) 782-9830.

Parent Council
Meeting monthly in the evening @ 33 Nassau Avenue (BHSN Offices).

Parent Associations
Meeting monthly in the evening @ 424 Leonard Street (Cafeteria).

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 Parent Advisor
Conferences
Parents are welcome to visit the school any time. The dates below are
set aside for parents to meet with advisors and discuss their student’s
progress. We have scheduled time during the day and in the evening for
your convenience. We hope to see you then!

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

2pm - 4pm @ 424 Leonard street.

Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

5pm - 7pm @ 424 Leonard street.

Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010

2pm - 4pm @ 424 Leonard street.

Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010

5pm - 7pm @ 424 Leonard street.

Wednesday, Apr. 21, 2010

2pm - 4pm @ 424 Leonard street.

Thursday, Apr. 22, 2010

5pm - 7pm @ 424 Leonard street.

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 Academic Workshop
Series
This ongoing series will provide helpful informational about the Believe
High Schools Curriculum. Each evening will be focused on a different
subject area/department. Faculty will provide an overview of the curricu-
lum, information about AP classes, Regents and other important tips to
supporting student achievement in that area.

Guidance
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 6pm - 8pm @ Cafeteria

English Department
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009 6pm - 8pm @ Cafeteria

Math Department
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009 6pm - 8pm @ Cafeteria

Strategies for
Helping your Child with Homework
Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 6pm - 8pm @ Cafeteria

Latin Department
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 6pm - 8pm @ Cafeteria

Social Studies Department

Tuesday, Mar. 2, 2010 6pm - 8pm @ Cafeteria

Special Education
Tuesday, Apr. 13, 2010 6pm - 8pm @ Cafeteria

Science Department
Tuesday, May 4, 2010 6pm - 8pm @ Cafeteria

Art/Drama
Tuesday, Jun. 1, 2010 6pm - 8pm @ Cafeteria

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 Family Academy
Believe High Schools are often open well after the school day ends. Join
us as we all learn and grow together. Family Academy workshops are
classes that provide opportunities for family members to learn new skills.

ESL Classes
This class will be offered free of charge for Parents/families who
would like to develop English language skills.
Weekly, January-March, 5pm - 7pm @ 424 Leonard St., Cafeteria

Computer Classes
This class will be offered free of charge for parents/families who
would like to develop basic computer skills.
Weekly, April, 5pm - 7pm @ 33 Nassau Ave., Teacher Center

Family Book Club

Families are invited to join our book club with their child. This
club will be led by Ms. Shannon Browne, Southside School
Leader
Monthly, beginning in January @ 424 Leonard St., Library

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 Cause-Related
Activites
New York City Marathon
All students and parents interested in volunteering with Believe
High Schools at the NY City Marathon aid station at McGuiness
Boulevard and Green Street.
November 1, 2009

Northside’s Can Drive

Send your child with canned goods during the first three weeks
of November to help feed people in need on Thanksgiving.
November 2 - 20, 2009

Serving Food to the Homeless (Sponsored by Northside High)

Participate with your child in serving food to the homeless. For
more information contact your Parent Coordinator.
November 24 - 25, 2009

Southside’s Toy Drive/Northside’s Coat Drive

Send new, unwrapped toys with your chidren for those in need.
Also, donate new or gently used coats for those in need.
November 30 - December 18, 2009

Bake Sale/Spring Baskets (Sponsored by Southside)

Donate baked goods and healthy snacks for a student run bake
sale. Proceeds will go toward springs baskets for patients at
Woodhull Hospital’s children’s ward.
March 24 - 25, 2009

Earth Day - Hands on NY Day (Sponsored by WCHS 9th Grade)

Join us and New York Cares as we plant trees, work in commu-
nity gardens, or other activities that help us improve our environ-
ment and community.
April 25, 2009

AIDS Walk
Participate or Volunteer with your child and raise money for a
great cause. Call your Parent Coordinator for more information.
Sunday, May 16, 2009 (Departing @ 8am)

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 Social Events
WCHS Potluck Dinner
Nov. 6, 2009 6pm - 8pm @ 424 Leonard St., Cafeteria

Parent Meeting/Thanksgiving Dinner

(Southside/Northside)
Nov. 20, 2009 6pm - 8pm @ Location to be determined

WCHS Parent/Family Awards Dinner

Dec. 4, 2009 6pm - 8pm @ 424 Leonard St., Cafeteria

Founders Ball
Celebrating the winter season and honoring parent volunteers
Dec. 11, 2009 6pm - 8pm @ 424 Leonard St., Cafeteria

Freshman Family Valentine’s Family Dance

Feb. 12, 2009 6pm - 9pm @ 424 Leonard St., Cafeteria

WCHS Year’s End Parent & Family

Award Dinner
June 6pm - 9pm @ 424 Leonard St., Cafeteria

Freshman Family BBQ

June 5, 2009 12pm - 5pm @ 424 Leonard St., Backyard

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 The College Office
Presents
Believe High Schools want to assist families in supporting their students
in their post graduation pursuits. The College Office provides helpful
workshops throughout the year to help families through the various stag-
es of the college application and financial aid process.

The Truth About Financial Aid

Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 @ 424 Leonard St.

Introduction to the College Process for Juniors

Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 @ Location to be determined

Get Help on Financial Aid Paperwork

Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010 @ 33 Nassau Street, Teacher Center

More Help on Financial Aid Paperwork

Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010 @ 33 Nassau Street, Teacher Center

Transition Support for Parents

Thursday, Mar. 11, 2010 @ 424 Leonard St.

College App Prep for Sophmore Parents

Thursday, Apr. 8, 2010 @ 424 Leonard St.

College App Prep for Freshman Parents

Thursday, May 20, 2010 @ 424 Leonard St.

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 Translation Services
Para obtener una versión traducida de esta guía en es-
pañol, por favor contacte a su Coordinador de padres.
Para los servicios de interpretación en cualquier taller,
favor de proporcionar tres semanas de antelación a su
Coordinador de padres.

Dla przetłumaczoną wersję tej instrukcji w języku pol-

skim, prosimy o kontakt z koordynatorem Rodziców.
Na tłumaczenia ustne w każdym warsztacie, proszę
zapewnić trzy tygodnie wypowiedzenia wcześniej do
rodziców Koordynatora.

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33 Nassau Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11222